Why 2026 Is the Year Your Practice Can’t Afford to Ignore Local SEO

Jun 11, 2025 | AI Search, Search Engine Optimization

Why 2026 Is the Year Your Practice Can’t Afford to Ignore Local SEO

The way patients find healthcare providers is evolving rapidly—and 2025 is shaping up to be a watershed year for dental and healthcare practices that want to grow. With more patients searching online for care, local SEO is no longer just a marketing buzzword; it’s a critical strategy for attracting new patients and staying competitive.

The Digital Shift in Patient Behavior

Over the past decade, the healthcare industry has seen a massive shift toward digital. Patients are now empowered with smartphones, voice assistants, and instant access to information. According to a recent [BrightLocal survey], 98% of consumers used the internet to find information about a local business in 2024, and healthcare is no exception. When someone needs a new dentist, pediatrician, or specialist, their first step is usually a Google search—often for terms like “dentist near me” or “best family doctor in [city].”

If your practice isn’t showing up in these local searches, you’re missing out on a steady stream of new patients.

What Is Local SEO for Healthcare Practices?

Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of optimizing your practice’s online presence so you appear prominently in location-based search results. This includes Google Maps, local business directories, and the highly visible Google local 3-pack that appears at the top of search results for local queries.

For healthcare practices, local SEO means making sure that when someone searches for services you offer in your area, your practice stands out—complete with accurate information, positive reviews, and easy ways to contact you.

Why Local SEO Is More Important Than Ever in 2025

1. Patients Expect Convenience and Trust Online Results

Today’s patients expect to find healthcare providers quickly and conveniently online. They rely on Google not just for information, but for recommendations they can trust. According to [PatientPop], 75% of people have looked online to find out about a doctor, dentist, or medical care, and 60% have chosen one provider over another based on a strong online presence.

2. Competition Is Increasing

More practices are investing in digital marketing, making local search results more competitive. If your competitors are showing up in the local 3-pack and you’re not, you’re likely losing patients to them—even if you offer superior care.

3. Local SEO Drives Real Results

Local SEO isn’t just about visibility; it’s about conversions. Google reports that 76% of people who search for something nearby visit a business within a day, and 28% of those searches result in a purchase or appointment. For healthcare, that means more new patient calls, appointment bookings, and long-term relationships.

Key Local SEO Strategies for Healthcare Practices

1. Claim and Optimize Your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is the cornerstone of local SEO. Make sure your profile is fully completed with your practice’s name, address, phone number, website, business hours, and a detailed description of your services. Upload high-quality photos of your office and staff, and keep information up-to-date.

2. Encourage and Respond to Patient Reviews

Online reviews are a major ranking factor for local search and a key trust signal for patients. Ask satisfied patients to leave positive reviews, and always respond—thanking patients for their feedback or addressing any concerns. According to [Podium], 93% of consumers say online reviews impact their decisions.

3. Use Localized Keywords on Your Website

Incorporate location-specific keywords naturally throughout your website. Instead of just “teeth whitening,” use “teeth whitening in [City, State].” Create service pages and blog posts that address local health concerns or events, and include your city, neighborhood, and nearby landmarks.

4. Build Location-Specific Landing Pages

If your practice has multiple locations, create dedicated landing pages for each one. Include the address, phone number, unique services, and testimonials for each location. This helps Google match your practice with hyper-local searches.

5. Ensure Consistency Across All Listings

Your practice’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) must be consistent everywhere—your website, Google Business Profile, directories, and social media. Inconsistencies can confuse both Google and potential patients, hurting your rankings and credibility.

6. Optimize for Mobile and Voice Search

With most local searches happening on mobile devices, your website needs to be fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate. Increasingly, patients are using voice assistants to search for providers (“Hey Siri, find a dentist near me”), so optimize your content for conversational queries and FAQs.

The Risks of Ignoring Local SEO

Practices that neglect local SEO risk being invisible to patients searching for care in their area. As more competitors invest in digital marketing, falling behind in local search means missing out on new patient appointments and growth opportunities. In a world where convenience and trust are paramount, being hard to find online can be a dealbreaker for prospective patients.

Taking Action: How to Get Started

If you haven’t yet invested in local SEO, 2025 is the year to start. Begin by claiming your Google Business Profile, updating your website with local keywords, and asking your happiest patients for reviews. Monitor your local search rankings and adjust your strategy as needed.

For practices ready to take their digital presence to the next level, working with a healthcare marketing agency can provide a customized local SEO strategy, ongoing optimization, and measurable results.

Ready to grow your practice?
Explore Harris & Ward’s SEO for Healthcare Practices and Dental Website Design services to get expert help tailored to your needs.

AI Search for Small Businesses: 5 Actionable Steps

Jun 3, 2025 | AI Search, Featured, Google

AI Search for Small Businesses: 5 Actionable Steps

AI Search Is Changing the Game: 5 Actionable Steps Small Businesses Can Take to Boost Visibility

Getting found by local customers is more competitive than ever. Most Google and Maps searches are short—just 1–4 keywords (“chiropractor near me,” “best pediatric dentist”). But with the rise of AI search engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude, users are now searching with much longer, more detailed queries—often 6–15+ keywords.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how people discover local businesses online. Tools like Perplexity, ChatGPT, Claude, and AI-powered Google search are reshaping the digital landscape, surfacing direct answers and recommendations—often before users even see traditional website links. For small businesses, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity: how do you ensure your business is visible and trusted by these new AI-driven platforms?

The good news: you don’t need to be a tech giant to compete. By taking a few strategic steps, your small business can improve its chances of being found and recommended by AI search engines. Here’s how:

1. Optimize Your Website for Local and AI Search

AI search engines, like their traditional counterparts, rely on clear, well-structured websites to understand what your business offers. But AI also looks for certain technical and content signals:

Structure and Navigation: Make sure your website is easy to navigate, with service-specific pages (e.g., “Emergency Dentistry in [City]” or “IT Support for Small Businesses”). Display your name, address, and phone number (NAP) on every page for consistency.
Schema Markup: Use structured data (schema markup) to help AI and search engines easily interpret your business details, services, reviews, and FAQs. Free tools like Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper can make this process straightforward.
Mobile Optimization and Speed: Ensure your site loads quickly and looks great on mobile devices. AI search engines prioritize user experience, so fast, responsive websites rank higher.
Security: Secure your site with HTTPS to build trust with both users and AI platforms.

2. Claim and Enhance Your Business Listings

AI platforms often pull information from trusted, structured sources like Google Business Profile, Yelp, Bing Places, and industry directories. Make sure your listings are:

Complete and Accurate: Fill out every field, including business categories, services, hours, and high-quality images.
Consistent: Your NAP should match exactly across all platforms. Inconsistent information can hurt your credibility with AI algorithms.
Optimized for Questions: Use the Q&A or FAQ sections in your listings to answer common customer queries directly and clearly. This helps AI surface your business in response to specific questions (“Where can I get teeth whitening near me?”).

3. Create High-Quality, AI-Friendly Content

AI search engines reward content that is detailed, helpful, and structured for easy parsing:

Answer Real Questions: Focus on what your customers are actually asking. Use headings and bullet points to break up information, and provide direct, concise answers.
Long-Form and In-Depth: Don’t just skim the surface—cover topics comprehensively. In-depth guides, service pages, and FAQs not only help your audience but also signal authority to AI.
Conversational Keywords: Incorporate natural, long-tail keywords and phrases that reflect how people speak, especially for voice search (e.g., “How do I book a dental cleaning?”).
Regular Updates: Keep your content current. Update older posts and pages to reflect new services, trends, and frequently asked questions.

4. Build and Showcase a Strong Online Reputation

AI search engines increasingly factor in your business’s reputation when deciding what to recommend:

Encourage Reviews: Ask happy customers to leave reviews on Google, Yelp, and other platforms. Positive reviews boost your credibility and can directly impact your visibility in AI-driven searches. User generated content (UCG) plays a huge role in Google Search and AI Search as a whole.
Respond to Feedback: Reply to reviews and questions promptly. This shows engagement and reliability—qualities that AI and potential customers both value.
Feature Testimonials: Display authentic testimonials and case studies on your website and social media to reinforce trust.

5. Strengthen Local Authority and Diversify Your Content

AI models look for signals that your business is a trusted part of the local community and an authority in your field:

Earn Backlinks: Seek mentions and backlinks from local organizations, industry associations, news outlets, and community partners. These links signal authority and relevance to AI search engines.
Participate in Community: Sponsor local events, collaborate with other businesses, or contribute to local blogs and news sites. Make sure your involvement is mentioned online.
Diversify Formats: AI can process more than just text. Create videos, infographics, and visual content to reach broader audiences and improve your chances of being featured in AI-powered search results.

Embracing the Future of AI Search

AI search isn’t a passing trend—it’s the new standard for how people find businesses online. By optimizing your website, business listings, content, reputation, and local authority, you can position your small business to be discovered and trusted by both AI platforms and real customers.

Start with these five steps, and you’ll be well on your way to future-proofing your digital presence—no matter how search evolves next.

Need help navigating AI search optimization for your small business?
Our team at Harris & Ward specializes in helping healthcare practices and small businesses grow online. Reach out today to learn how we can help you thrive in the age of AI search.